Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Don't Hate Me Because I'm Beautiful...

You have something really important to do on this earth. The first purpose of your life is a personal relationship with God. That means a real everyday connection to Him. After that, He's given you something to do, something to say, something to impact thepeople around you. It's a beautiful thing when you discover this and move in it -- this doing exactly what God wants you to do.

Sadly, everyone will not think it's beautiful. And some will hate you for it. I'm talking about all out, ugly hate. Some may talk behind your back,while others face off with you boldly.

I'm called to write. Specifically I know I'm called to write transparent things that others may not have the courage to. Not for shock value. Not for notoriety as nice as that is. (Just being honest!) The true reason I am called to write what I feel compelled to write is to let people know they are not alone, and to encourage.

That's not so beautiful to everyone. I'll never forget the day I was sitting in my office here in Tampa years ago and someone in authority in an area of my life called me up and said, "Deanna, this is a difficult call to make, but I need to ask you to remove what's on your blog today."

What?!

I seriously thought this had to be a prank but being that the person who called is on the uptight side and not given to pranks, I knew they were serious. They went on to say that my blog was too transparent...that my blatant honesty was bringing no glory to God. That talking about some subjects openly is just not appropriate. That while everything I spoke was truth, some things are better off hidden.

Really?

Some people are not happy at all when you speak transparently about things like sexual abuse, abortion, adoption, abusive churches/ministry situations, sex in marriage, domestic abuse and many other topics that seem to be lightning rods. The truth is, someone needs to speak out openly and compassionately. To one you are beauty - to another, a beast.

Just this past week I was "de-friended" by someone who was apparently offended by a blog post and ensuing discussion about the post on Facebook last week. I am not sorry for that, however it is sad.

Does it compel me to change directions? No. In fact it shows me I'm on the right track.

The bottom line is, are you content to be seen by some as a beast? This appears to be essential if one is to be received as beautiful by others.